Internal-combustion turbine



May 1i a i926,

s .j L. mmm

INTERNAL COMBUSTION TURBINE 8 sheetssheet V1 Filed May 25, 1922 May 11 1926.v

, 1,584,346 1.5L.. ARDIN INTERNAL COMBUSTION TURBINE Filed May 23, `1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 www@ may il, i926.

L.. L. ARDEN INTERNAL coMusToN TURBINE Filed May 25, 1922 a sheets-shew 5 w w www 7, /k 4, Q. J 9 Q May 11 192.6.

L.; L.. ARDIN INTERNAL coMBusrIoN TURBINE vFiled May 25, 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 1E E926.

L.; Lm ARDIN 1NTERNAL coMBus'rIom TURBINE Filed May 23, 1922 8 Sheets-Shaw v May l1 1926. 1,584,346 L. L. ARDIN INTERNAL coMBUsTIoNTuRBINE -Fiied May 25, 1922 a mamas-sheet e W w mi a\| l I I ||L v L.; L. ARDIN INTERNAL coMB'usTIoN TURBINE Filed May 25, 1922 8 sheets-Sheet v May 1l 1926.- v

L. l...v ARDIN INTERNAL COMBUSTION TURBINE Filed May 23', 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Ill l I I l I Il.

Patented May 11, 1926. l

UNITED STATES A v1,584,346 PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIEN'L. ARDIN, 0F NEW' YORK, Nl Y.

INTERNAL-eoMBUsTIoN TUREINE.

Application filed May 23, 1922. Serial No. 563,015.

The present invention relates to internal other. This having `been accomplished, the

combustion turbines, Vparticularly adaptable for medium powers. One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved regulating means for supplying gas and fuel to the turbine, aapplication presenting cerf' tain iniprbvements over the con-struction embodied in my prior application, Serial No. 427,365, filed Nov. 30, 1920.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a section of the motor. the section passing at right angles to the shaft of the motor f l Fig.- 2 is a half section of the principal parts of the motor, the plane of section passingT thru the shaft of the motor;

ig. 3 shows a different regulation of the rotating parts;

Figs. 4 and 10 illustrate in detail the means for distributing the current for ig'- nition; r

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showin@ the 4ports for 'supplying air to the combustion .explosion chambers, and the rotor 24 which eneircles the fixed member or rotor and receives the impulse from the` explosions.

Means' are provided for regulating or ad* justing the play between the fixed member and the movable member, a conical member 25-26 being utilized for this purpose.

Means fare also provided, comprising a cone v2728 for regulating the play between the fixed member and the air distribution means.

Fig. 2 illustrates the movable conical pieces 24and 29 engaging each other at their limit, surrounding the member 23. This is not a working or operating condition but merely illustrates the extreme movement and is the first position to be given to the conc when setting up the apparatus. This poi-mits obtaining accurate fit, accurate conicality and if there are slight defects they ,canl be corrected by grinding parts into each two movable parts 24 and 29 are slightly separated by moving them lengthwise of the shaft so as to produce between thenhand the fixed part 23, the necessary play. The amount of the play must be small enough to reduce thelossor escape of gas to au insignificant quantity. The play must be large enough so that there will be no friction betweenl the members even after the motor has reached its working temperature and. the

4the play will be somewhat greaterthan when the rotor is running. This is indicated in Figure 3. The air distributor 29 is shown projecting a little less than rotor 24. The one is illustrated in the position of maximum play and the other in the position giving intermediate play. In practice it will never be necessary to make use of these amounts of play which are, relatively speaking, somewhat large.

\ The rotor is adjusted by sliding its 'hub 30 (see Figure 4) on the shaft 31 and on the key 32 andin stopping it im the desired position by means of two screwthreaded rings 33 and 34. This adjustirg mechanism includes a key and is built upon the most enlarged part of the motor .shaft i because it is the hub 30 which 'transmits the entire power of the motor.

The adjustment of the air distributing u means 29 takes place (see Figs. 2 and 3) by screwing its hub 35 more or less along a part of the motor shaft of smaller diameter, it being fixed in position by ltwo screwthreaded rings 36 and 37.` As but slightpower 'is transmitted by this shaft to the air distributor there is no need .of a key for the air distributor hub.

The escape or leakageof gas through the joints existing between the parts may be prevented to the greatest extent by the use of suitable members 38 to 40 which latter y are conveniently fixed to the parts in such a manner as to most effectively guard against leakage.

It is to be understood that there is no .49. dotted lines).

adjustment of the play |betweenthevfixed and rotating members, while the motor is turning. This occurs while the motor is at rest during the preliminary trials and may take place again when the wear of the bearings is being compensated, forexample.

The'fixed member 23 carries eight combustion chambers 42 in thev form illustrated upon the drawings. These explosion chambers are closed at both ends by 'two rings 43-44 compressed by bolts 45 placed in the spacing member 46, this arrangement, facilitating the constructionof the motor.

- The spaces'46 canl be open at both ends in order to permit air to circulate somewhat for cooling purposes. Owing to the absence of pistons, segments., etc., the water cooling may bedone away with and the motor may become heated, thus enabling it to be actuated by cheap low-grade fuel instead of gasoline.

The compressed air introduced into the hollow portion 47 v of the shaft 31, passes thru the ports 6 made in the shaft.

The air enters by the ports 5 into the distributor 29. 'Ihis distributor 'is provided with two lateral plates 50, 51, which facilitates the construction of the parts and the accuracy and balance of its different members. There` are four ports v1-1- 1-1 with wings-20. The ports l-l-l-l supply air to ports 2--2-2--2 of the combustion chambers, these being longer so that the ends ofthe portl supplying the air do not exceed the ends of the port receiving the air, no matter what may be thel positionof the regulating device. regulating thev play between the members (see Fig. 5 where the extreme possible position is indicated-n The air does not pass directly from the .Orts 1 into the port 2. Between the memers 23 and 29, two 'rings 52 and 53 are interposed which do not turn with the distributor 29. They are not, however, rigidlysecured to the fixed member 23 but turn in it under friction. They carry two small toothed sectors 54, driven by pinions 56 and 57 carried by shafts 58, 59 which project from the motor and which can be driven while the motor is running by the operator. Because of this type of mounting, the rings 52 and 53 may be slightly adjusted and the eight ports 7 and 8 'which each carries, may

be moved between the ports 1 and 2. In

`thisway., the time when the air is introduced can be determined by moving the ring 52.

lThe cross section of the airl stream can "also .be adjusted from zero to maximum and consequently the pressure of the 'air entering the explosion chambers. This is done by moving the ring 53.`

The gaseous products of the explosion leave the chambers 42 by rel'atively narrow passagewaysl which are.l given the desired direction and'which discharge at 3-3'-3--3 on the conical exterior surface ofthe fixed member. They enterinto-'the chamber 68 of the rotor by `inclined ports 4--4-4-4- Thel endsof the port which discharge the l operation of the motor is in most instances 53 more effective-"when surfaces of this nature are employed. These passages are of 1nci'easing cross-sectional area towards their outlet ends and as a consequence the heated gases are free to expand in their flow through the discharge passages from whence they emerge into the fixed reservoir 64, which serves as an exhaust. It is here to be noted that, if desirable, fixed wings 65 may .beprovided' in this .exhaust and adjacent the outlet ends of the passages so that the heated gases may strike against these wings upon emergingr from the discharge passages, the foregoing best illustrated in Fig. l. v

ln the form` illustrated there are-e1ght explosion chambers in the fixed member and four'expansion .chambers in the rotor and havin@r been D os the number of explosions for each revolution of the motor is 32..

The distributor 29 and the rotor 24 are ad- 'usted on the motor shaft in such a way that in th same explosion chamber, the air introduction ports l and 2 open a little earlier than the explosionl chamber discharge port 10 spacing members 62 whose interior conical 115 surfaces serve to seal the combustion chambers while air-and fuel are being introduced into the chambers.

The sides' 69 and 70 of the rotor consist of two rings joined at-71-72-73-.74 which are compressed by bolts, this permitting easy construction, making the parts symmetrical around their axis, which 1s ,an advantagein securingbalance of the rotary member.

' The ignition is preferably electric; the 12 current comes from any desired source as for example from a storage battery furnishing l low tension current. The electricity is sup-- plied to the coil which furnishes high teusion current. One vof the po'les of the coil 130 is connected with the metallic frame of the motor. The other pole ends v.at a brush spring-mounted upon the frame of the motor and vwhich is constantly in contact with the metallc ring75 (see Fig. il). This ring is insulated by means of insulating rings 76,

77, 78 and is carried'by means 'of arms '79 of the rotor with which igt-turns. A little copper cable 80- which is finsulated forV high tension, connects the ring 75 with another metallic ring 81. The cable 80 is long enough and iiexible enough so asv to permit 'a relative `motion of the two rings, which is required when making the adjustment-s described below. n 4

Thering Slis insulated and encased in an i insulating ring 82 which carries four openings '83.from which project four springs 84 secured to the ring 81. Each combustion Chambercarries an ignition plug S5. The springs are constantly charged with electricity; each time one of them touches the but- 4 ton 86 of a plug, the spark is formed which `ignites the explosion mixture.

of the rotor begin to open the ports 3--3- These profiles -are indicated in a projection- Y3- -3 of the fixed member.

of the rings 81, 82 with relation to theA these figures, ir'leLp This position rotor is not absolutely necessary and onel can change it while the motor is running to advance or retard the spark. this result an annular member 87 is mounted between the ring 82 and the arms of the secured to the arms of the rotor. The ring 82 is secured to the ring 90. The two rings 88 and 90 are provided with teeth on theirl developed on a cylinder in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 13. 14 and 15. Each part shown in full lines in lresents the portionof the parts corrcspo circle and the beginnings of the neighboring quarters are represented in dotted lines.

Between the teeth of rings 88 and 90 the four projections 95 move, these being parts of `a single member, namely the ring 89. This construction has the following mode of operation:

When the play between the fixed member and the rotor is adjusted and the positionof the latter upon the shaft is fixed, a space more or less large remains between the buttons 86 'of the Aignition plugs 8 5 andl the spring` 34. This space-is reduced to a minimum for producing spurksjiy moving the ring89V between the two rings 88 and 90,'the lutter 'remaining opposite to euch other. These two last rings are separated the necessary amountv to give the desired position to To accomplish lng to one quarter of the `the springs 84 according to theposition of the rotor. the position of the members. when the play j between the 'xed member and the rotor is.

For example, Fig. 7 represents reduced to nothing. Fig. 13 represents the position whenV theplay is avmaximum. It

'its circumference, the end yof the .shaft 96 which carries two little toothed pinions 97 vand 98.v These/pinionshave a pitch diameter, one double the other. They are in engagement with two toothed sectors 99 and 100 carried by rings 89 and88 when the play and the position of the rotor have beenvixed. The position of thev shaft 96 is preferably arranged near one arm of the rotor. The shaft passes beyond the arm and carries a eoV star 101 with four branches. Two projections 102, 103 slide in a iixedpart of the frame of the motor. When running, their ends are outside of the star, but the operator may move either one or the other of these projections so as to make it enterinto-the 4circle of rotation of the star 101. teach turn of the motor, therefore, this star `will make 'a one-quarter turn in one direction or the other, depending on which projection,` 102 or 103, has been selected. Each-.time the l rings 89 and 90 will be moved a small distance with relation to ring 88. Since the movements of yring 90 are twice as great as the movements of ring 89, these movements take place without changing the total width of ,the three rings, i. e., thevoverall width is not changed. To accomplishthis result, the edges of the rings 89 are provided with two inclined faces and ring 90 has only one inclined face The electric contact springs 84 can thus be advanced or moved back without changing their alignment with the button 86 of the spark plug.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the positions of the parts corresponding to the maximum ad- Vance positiony or the maximum retarded position when the rotor is adjusted for zero play,the two pinions being rotated in the direction of the' arrows.

Figs. 14 and 15 show the positions of the parts corresponding to the maximum advance or retarded position when the motor is adjusted for maximum play and the two pinions have hcen turned in the direction of the DJTOWS.

It is understood that all intermediate posi# tions are possible for the difference in dis.

iii

' effect without departing from the principlethereof. l

of the pinion whenthe play of the fixed member and of the rotor have been fixed. This is the total thickness of the three rings constituting the annular member 87.

Fig. 11 shows the rings 89, 90, the rings 81, 82 and the springs 84 in a position corresponding to Fig. 15, the ring 88 being considered removed.

Rings S8, 89 and 90 yare of a suitable size and ,thickness and are strong ,enough to stand vthe strain so that they maybe made of a light metal such as aluminum and may be suitably cut away as at 104, 105 and 106 (see Fig. 6).

Each combustion' chamber receives the combustible fluid by means of a distributor 107 of fixed output which is adjustable and intermittent.

The buttons 108 of these distributors are' projected by four cams 109- which are carried by half arms 110 attached to the rotor. These are called half a-rms because they are secured to the rotor at the side opposite the.

hub and 'stop in front of the distributors where they are connected by ring 111 which has an opening around the shaft." Into this opening the shafts for regulating the air 58 and 59 enter as well as the supply pipesfor supplying fuel.

The ring 111 which is inserted between the half arm of the rotor and the four cams 109, consists of three rings 112, 113 and 114 which have the same efiect in controlling the fuel supply that the rings 88, 89 and 90 have for electricity.l That is. to say, they permit the advance: or theretarding of the cams 109 aecording'to the position and the play given to the rotor and they also permit for each of these positions to adjust or regulate the time for the introduction of thefuel,.to retard it or to advance it, while the motor is running.' f Fig.'6 shows the rings 112, 113' and-114 in the osition corresponding to the condition o .operation where kvthe rotor enters least and where the play is the maximum and to thecondition where fuel is supplied at the mean time, i. e.,vthe intermediate time, at the instant which may be called normal between the moment for closing the-air adniission-port'a.nd the spark. j

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to details and that numerous 'changes may be made in the position and construction of the parts in carrying it into WhatI claim ters Patent is:

1. In an internal combustion turbine, having a fixed member carrying aA plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the imulse from the explosions, saidffixed member being provided with an external conical surand'desire to secure by Letface, and with a cylindrical portion at the base of the cone, said rotor being provided with a co-operating internal conical surface, andwith a cylindrical portion at the narrow end of the cone, eachof said cylindrical portions carrying a ring and means for adj usting one of said members axially with'relation to the other, thereby regulating the play between the fixed member and the rotor.

2. In an internal combustion turbine, having a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulse from the explosions, said fixed member being provided with an external conical surface, said rotor being provided with a cooperating internal conical surf-ace, means for supplying air to the explosion chambers, said means comprisinga hollow cone, said cone provided with ports for supplying air to the explosion chambers, a shaft on which the rotor is mounted and means-,for adjusting said hollow cone on said shaft.

B. In an internal combustion turbine, having a fixedmember carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor 'surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulse from the explosions, a shaft on which said rotor is mounted, said fixed member being provided with an external conical surface, said rotor being provided with a cooperating internal conical surface, means for supplying air to the explosion chambers, said means comprising a hollow cone carried by the rotor shaft, said cone provided with ports for supplying `airto the explosion chambers, a hub for said cone, said hub and shaft being screw-threaded to permit the adjustment of said cone on said shaft.

4. In an internal combustion turbine, having a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers,v a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulse from the explosions, a shaft on which said'rotor is mounted, said xed member being provided with an external conical surface, said rotor being provided with a cooperating internal conical Surface and means for supplying air to the ex losion chambers, said means comprising a ollow cone carried by the rotor shaft, said cone provided with ports for supplying air -to the explosion chambers, the said fixed member having a .conical .sectional surface terminating 1n a cylindrical end portion and rovided with a cylindrical base surrounding said hollow cone, and a pair of rin s, one carried by the cylindrical portion of t ie hollow cone and the other by the interior cylindrical portion of the -fixed member.

5. In an internal combustion turbine having a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, a shaft carrying said rotor, air distributing means carried by said shaft lim fixed member, a shaft carrying said rotor,.

air distributing means carried by said shaft within said fixed member, a pair of ported rings between the air distributing means and the fixed member and a toothed "sector and pinion for each ring for adjusting said rings, p

7. In an internal combustion turbine, hav- .ing a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulses from the explosions, a spark plug for each explosion chamber, a shaft carrying the rotor, an electric contact for`said spark plug, and means for circumferentially adjusting said contact, said means comprising three circular rings, one secured to the rotor shaft, the second carrying the contact and the third mounted between the other two, the intermediate ring being provided with wedge-shaped teeth' cooperating with the adjacent faces of the other two rings.

8. In an internal combustion turbine, having a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulses fom the explosions. and means for supplying fuel to the explosion chambers,

said means comprising a distributor for each explosion chamber, a cam for each distributor and means for adjusting said cams axially and eircumferentially, said means comprising three rings, one ring secured -to the rotor shaft, another carrying said cams 'and the third being arranged intermediate. the other two rings, the outside rings having wedge-shaped teeth and the intermediate ring carrying 'a plurality of wedges cooperating with said teeth and means for adjusting the intermediate rings.

9. In an internal combustion turbine having a fixed member carrying a plurality of explosion chambers, a rotor surrounding said fixed member, said rotor receiving the impulses from the explosions, a spark plug for each explosion chamber, a shaftv carrying the rotor, an electric contact forsaid spark plug, and means for circumferentially adjusting said contact, said means comprising three circular rings, one secured to the rotor shaft, the second carrying the contact and-.the third mounted between the other two, the outer rings being provided with equal and op osite tooth faces, the intermediate ring Ibeing provided with co-operating wedges, the intermediate ring and the ring carrying the contact being each provided with a toothedy sector, the ring secured to the shaft carrying a pair of pinions, one of double the diameter of the other.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification..

LUCIEN L. ARDIN. 

